Call of Duty 2026: Project Devil & The Return of Verdansk
The cycle continues. With Black Ops 6 dominating the charts in 2025, attention is already shifting to Infinity Ward's next project, slated for a late 2026 release. Currently developed under the codename "Project Devil," leaks suggest this title will be a spiritual (or direct) successor to Call of Duty: Ghosts, featuring a darker, grittier tone than the Modern Warfare reboot trilogy.
However, the biggest news for the community isn't the campaign—it is the Warzone map. Multiple reliable insiders have corroborated that the legendary Verdansk is being rebuilt from the ground up for the next generation.
Verdansk: Not Just a Remaster
This isn't the Verdansk 1984 we saw in Cold War. Infinity Ward is reportedly building a "current day" version of Verdansk, set years after the nuke event. The map will feature overgrown ruins, rebuilt skyscrapers, and expanded underground transit systems.
- Superstore: Now a fortified fortress with multiple vertical entry points.
- Stadium: Completely open, with a dynamic roof that can be destroyed during matches.
- Dam: Rumored to be destroyed, flooding the river and creating aquatic combat zones similar to Vondel.
Gameplay Innovations
Omnimovement 2.0
Black Ops 6 introduced Omnimovement (sprinting in any direction). Project Devil aims to refine this physics engine. Leaks mention "Wall Bouncing" mechanics and the ability to shoot accurately while sliding backwards down stairs. The skill gap is expected to widen significantly.
Weapon Carry Forward?
Controversially, early reports suggest CoD 2026 might be a "hard reset" for Warzone weapons. This means your MW2 and MW3 skins may not transfer to the main royale mode, causing friction within the community. However, operators are expected to transfer.
Campaign: The Ghosts Connection
The "Ghosts" mask was teased in the MW3 ending. Project Devil is rumored to explore the origins of the Ghosts unit, potentially retconning the 2013 game into the modern timeline. Expect stealth-heavy missions and jungle warfare.
Engine Upgrades: IW 10.0
The game will run on a heavily modified version of the IW 9.0 engine. Key upgrades include global illumination (ray tracing for consoles) and a new audio engine designed to fix the perennial issues with directional footstep audio. If successful, "sound whoring" might become a legitimate tactical skill again rather than a frustration.